Gomer Pyle-USMC aired on CBS from September 25, 1964, to May 2, 1969. The series was a spin-off of The Andy Griffith Show, and the show ran for a total of 150 half-hour episodes spanning over five seasons.
It starred Jim Nabors (6/12/June 12, 1930 – November 30, 2017) as Private First Class Gomer Pyle, and Frank Sutton (October 23, 1923 – June 28, 1974) as Gunnery Sergeant Vince Carter.
Jim Nabors was born and raised in Sylacauga, Alabama, and graduated from the University of Alabama. After graduating, he moved to New York City, where he worked as a typist for the United Nations. He would move to southern California because of his asthma, and was discovered by Andy Griffith while working at a Santa Monica nightclub.
Frank Sutton, from Clarksville, Tennessee, enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II and served in the South Pacific, taking part in 14 assault landings. Sutton was a sergeant who served from 1943–1946 in the 293rd Joint Assault Signal Company. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Interestingly, he had been medically rejected by the Marine Corps.
Of course, no writing would be complete without the mention of the voice of Jim Nabors, who would go on to record some 28 albums with that amazing baritone singing voice.
We share this performance of Jim Nabors singing the classic “”The Impossible Dream,” on stage in Washington, D.C., with the United States Marine Band. This episode, entitled “The Show Must Go On,” first aired on CBS on November 3, 1967.
The song was originally composed by Mitch Leigh, with lyrics written by Joe Darion.
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